Hello Starbounders! Given the recent balance patch changing threat level from 1-10 instead of 1-100, and the fact that each planet of a tier is the same "Threat" level, I believe that this information is MOSTLY USELESS. Threat does not tell us anything we don't already know, unless there are out of place planets (Tier 1 in a Tier 2 and so on, something to consider). Therefore I propose the following options: Allow us to upgrade our ship's Scanners. It seems that we have some sort of basic scanning technology as it is, and being able to upgrade it would be quite helpful. Here is how the idea is structured as a basic conception of the idea: At each tier, we would be able to craft a scanner upgrade that would allow us to sense one more fact about the world. Keep in mind, I have no idea of the balance ramifications of the Tier upgrades, and so they could be shuffled around without damaging the idea at all. Except a Basic scan, the rest of them would cost some resource to perform. Probably Pixels, maybe Fuel. Basic: As is, primary Biome and threat level. Tier 1: Presence, absence, and size of artificial structures. A planet of bandit camps and cultists would rank as very small artificial. Those big crystal reactors or an Avian City would rank as "large". Does not check for underground structures. Tier 2: Presence or absence of sub-biomes. Tier 3: Type of sub-biomes Tier 4: Rough Mineral Concentrations: Mostly Dirt, Some Copper, Little Titanium, Rare Diamonds Tier 5: Presence or Absence of a Mini-Boss Tier 6 and so on: Etc. You get the idea, some sort of nice, helpful decision-making fact about each world. Another nice item could be a Scanner or a Scan Visor. When activated, at not insubstantial energy cost, it gives semi-clear vision in a cone in front of you through blocks, sort of like what the matter manipulator does. This should, obviously, be a higher tier item, but I do think it would be helpful for the miners. Could also function as limited field of view night vision goggles, reducing somewhat dependence upon coal and torches. I wouldn't RECOMMEND just using them, but what do I know?
I agree with this. I've thought a few times during gameplay that it would be cool if there were scanners you could buy or build for your ship that would give you various details on the planet or moon you're orbiting. What sentient races are present, ore composition, biome and sub-biome information....
Aye. M1K3Y, I'm no great balance expert and I thought the core of the idea was more important that the specifics. Looking at the list I'm not sure that is the best way to implement it, but it's illustrative and that is what is important.
I also think that, in addition to being able to scan the planet better, each individual planet should have different ore concentrations, like, a level one planet might be scanned as being extremely abundant in copper and iron and so on, rather than a general all-the-ores-you-need-in-one-place type of system. It would make hunting for certain materials a lot easier and a lot more fun and interesting.
man We so need scanner tech. I'd even go so far as to say it's critical, due to the complete random nature of planets and the massive amount of time it would take to fully explore any particular world. General info on inhabitants/vendors, available biomes, relative ore amounts, and the presence of techs. Make the ship's scanner upgradeable, and a better scanner=more detailed info. Not sure I'd make any stat level specific, just the depth of information provided on each stat. Would be cool if ore presence was tied to biome type. Think they have to do all purpose now because there's no way of telling, but coupled with the scanner, it'd be a game-changer. Would definitely make exploration of multiple planets more rewarding.
I think, to some extent, they are; at least I tend to notice that I get more coal in arid planets, for example
Currently it's not. The ore is randomly generated based only on the 'level' of the planet. I hope they do it in the future though.
I love the scanner idea and was talking about it in another thread with regards to making mining more fun. The only thing I would change about this is putting ore detection at the first or second tier. Resource gathering is a very critical part of the game and the first major reason you start traveling to other planets is to find resources you can't find on your starting planet. Being able to see ore concentrations would be useful sooner rather than later. I love all the rest of the ideas and totally agree with where you are going with this idea.
I say that scanning is a great idea, but don't give away too much or else you'll have little reason to go to planets so quickly classified as "Useless". Also, take a gander at this if you haven't already! http://community.playstarbound.com/index.php?threads/the-game-we-want.48657/ Such ideas are really picking up around here.
Yeah, these are some great ideas about the functionality of scanners, I would love to see these in a game. I have come up with some ideas about planet scanning and galactic mapping, check out my post here: http://community.playstarbound.com/...canner-range-charted-uncharted-planets.50319/
I was just going to suggest something like this. I think it worked really well on games like Starflight where you had some idea if the world was inhabited or not. It could be a ship upgrade. Not sure if it's in the game already but I assume that it's not since so many people are bringing this up as well. At the very least I'd like a little "Captain's Log" where I can make notes about a planet so I can know if I've been there and what was on the planet. Might just be easier for my scanner to pick that up on first visit. Right now I just have a hard time remembering what planets had what on them within my starting solar system.
